NSB will go after grant to expand Brannon Center

Published: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 5:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 5:38 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — The city will apply for a county grant of up to $1.8 million to expand the Brannon Center, a move officials hope will make the facility a regional draw and bring more people to the downtown.

The City Commission listed expanding the Riverside Drive building as one of its top long-term goals during its annual retreat held last month at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

The commission will consider Tuesday paying Brooks and Dun Grant Consulting $15,000 to prepare the application for a Volusia County ECHO "exceptional" grant to help pay for the renovations.

The firm previously prepared ECHO grant applications for the city for the acquisition and development of Otter Lake Park.

Local architect J. Pendergast presented commissioners last month with a concept to add a second level and a patio that he said would enable the Brannon Center to accommodate larger business groups and social gatherings.

The 13,340-square-foot building was built in the 1960s and once housed the city's library. The Council on Aging now mostly uses the facility to offer events and programs for seniors.

Pendergast's proposal would increase the size of the building to 23,000 square feet and provide ballroom seating for 600.

Mayor Adam Barringer has said the expansion of the Brannon Center would "create more people wanting to come downtown."

Volusia County extended the deadline to apply for its ECHO grant this year until May 1.

"This is an extremely complex application and approval process to obtain an ECHO Exceptional grant," reads an agenda item summary sent to the commission from City Manager Pam Brangaccio's office. "But we believe it's an opportunity for funding that must be explored to support the commission's vision for the Brannon Center."

Brangaccio said last month the expansion would turn the Brannon Center into a "small conference center" that would still host community events.

Brangaccio said the city is still in "early exploration mode" on the specifics of the renovation, including the cost of some of the plans.

The City Commission will consider the $15,000 appropriation for Brooks and Dun Grant Consulting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 210 Sams Ave.

<p>NEW SMYRNA BEACH &mdash; The city will apply for a county grant of up to $1.8 million to expand the Brannon Center, a move officials hope will make the facility a regional draw and bring more people to the downtown. </p><p>The City Commission listed expanding the Riverside Drive building as one of its top long-term goals during its annual retreat held last month at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. </p><p>The commission will consider Tuesday paying Brooks and Dun Grant Consulting $15,000 to prepare the application for a Volusia County ECHO "exceptional" grant to help pay for the renovations. </p><p>The firm previously prepared ECHO grant applications for the city for the acquisition and development of Otter Lake Park. </p><p>Local architect J. Pendergast presented commissioners last month with a concept to add a second level and a patio that he said would enable the Brannon Center to accommodate larger business groups and social gatherings. </p><p>The 13,340-square-foot building was built in the 1960s and once housed the city's library. The Council on Aging now mostly uses the facility to offer events and programs for seniors. </p><p>Pendergast's proposal would increase the size of the building to 23,000 square feet and provide ballroom seating for 600. </p><p>Mayor Adam Barringer has said the expansion of the Brannon Center would "create more people wanting to come downtown." </p><p>Volusia County extended the deadline to apply for its ECHO grant this year until May 1. </p><p>"This is an extremely complex application and approval process to obtain an ECHO Exceptional grant," reads an agenda item summary sent to the commission from City Manager Pam Brangaccio's office. "But we believe it's an opportunity for funding that must be explored to support the commission's vision for the Brannon Center." </p><p>Brangaccio said last month the expansion would turn the Brannon Center into a "small conference center" that would still host community events. </p><p>Brangaccio said the city is still in "early exploration mode" on the specifics of the renovation, including the cost of some of the plans. </p><p>The City Commission will consider the $15,000 appropriation for Brooks and Dun Grant Consulting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 210 Sams Ave.</p>